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If you are wanting to learn how to learn to lay ceramic tiles for yourself, the experience of being able to do this simple remodeling project for your kitchen or bathroom on your own can be very rewarding in terms of satisfaction, and demonstrate pride of ownership in your home. In the kitchen, ceramic tiles give your existing kitchen décor an increased sense of warmth. While interior designers and tile professionals may charge a pretty penny for installation services, any home owner who has the time and is willing to learn the process can easily install ceramic tiles themselves. Who knows? You may find that installing tile is a project that you greatly enjoy, and decide to pursue it as an exciting new profession.
Personal safety is the most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to laying ceramic tile. Floor tiles should never be installed without the use of appropriate protective equipment. Safety goggles, leather gloves, and a heavy duty long sleeved shirt are essential, especially if you will be removing older tiles, as broken pieces and sharp tile edges can cause serious cuts and abrasions.
A decent amount of hand tools are necessary for the installation of ceramic tiles. Many of these tools are probably those that you already have lying around the house or in your existing toolbox, such as a bubble level, a carpenter’s square, and a tape measure. A tile cutter may be purchased or even rented for the length of the project, and other items such as grout, sealant, a notched trowel, and a putty knife may have to be bought prior to beginning the project if you do not already have them.
For someone who has never laid ceramic tiles, knowing where to begin can be confusing. However, if there is already tiling on the floor, the obvious place to start would be with removing the existing flooring or ceramic tile. After putting on all required safety equipment, you can use a chisel to break up existing ceramic tiles. Then, clean the area, making sure to dispose of all old materials and debris.
The next step is to inspect the sub-flooring, or the area immediately underneath the flooring or ceramic tile that was just removed. If the subfloor is made of concrete, you may need to check up close for any cracks that may be present, and take the necessary steps to repair those cracks as much as possible. For large cracks that may be beyond repair, replacement of a section of subflooring may be required. Any subflooring that is composed of plywood should be 1 and 1/8 inch in thickness in order to provide adequate support for the ceramic tiles. Sub-flooring that is not properly prepared can cause ceramic tiles to become dislodged or even break or chip, so subfloor preparation should not be rushed.
Once you have prepared the subfloor, it is then time to measure the area to be tiled and begin the process of laying your ceramic tiles. To measure properly, the floor should be measured across the room with the center marked. Then repeat the process going the other direction. Chalk can be used to mark these center points, which allows you to designate a good starting point for laying your ceramic tiles.
The first ceramic tile to be laid should go at the center point which you have designated. Carefully place the tile, ensuring that it is in the exact location that you desire. Using the notched trowel, you can then begin applying tile adhesive or mortar to the back of the first ceramic tile, and then place the tile on the floor by pressing down firmly and using a slight twist motion until there is no longer any give in the tile. A damp cloth or sponge can then be used to wipe up any excess adhesive.
After all ceramic tiles have been placed in the desired locations, the only thing left to do is to apply grout to the entire surface area and begin sealing the floor. This can be done by using a rubber grout float to apply grout or mixed cement to the small gaps between your ceramic tiles. After the grout has been given sufficient time to thoroughly dry, cover the areas that have been filled with grout with floor sealant, and your ceramic tile floor is complete.
write by Raj Singh